2WD vs 4WD, what are their pros and cons

The RC car has two drive modes, 2WD and 4WD. Many people who are just getting started in the rc car field will have questions. Which type should I choose? Even the most professional people are sometimes confused. Some people recommend using 4WD because 4WD has extra power and speed. In short, they are usually faster on the track than 2WD.

But some say that although 2WD is difficult to drive, higher technical requirements will make you a better driver.

Determining which way to go depends largely on where you run and how.

• 2WD

Drivers of all levels will participate in this particular level of competition in each competition - everywhere.

Driving straight and slamming the brakes usually results in a steering of at least 180°, so it is highly probable that the 2WD vehicle will be controlled at extreme speeds, especially on low traction surfaces. However, many people like this challenge, which ultimately makes you a better driver and must compensate for this. 2WD vehicles are also generally cheaper because they are less complex and require fewer moving parts.

We usually start with 2WD, because although they look harder to drive than 4WD, it's more challenging and rewarding when you're driving around and following 4WD.

• 4WD

Once you master 2WD, this will often become a choice. In contrast, a 4WD is easier to drive and usually travels exactly where you want it. Since all four tires are pulling the car or truck, there is no need to compensate for the built-in bias of 2WD, which means performance is more predictable. 4WD trucks are also better on the terrain of Saki terrain. The biggest drawback here is the price. Because 4WD trucks add complexity and in many cases include brushless motors by default, their price is usually higher.

Unlike electric motors, it is almost impossible to "upgrade" 2WD vehicles to 4WD because the chassis and overall design between the two prototypes are completely different. Therefore, no matter which style you buy, you will be bound by it unless you buy a new car later.

Since all four wheels are driven, they have higher grip and are therefore more stable; but they are also more direct and radical in driving style.

4WD also pays more attention to throttle control and precise motion. When using a 4WD model, you don't have to be as precise as you can use the throttle to manipulate the vehicle to a greater extent.

4WD will reward drivers who are accustomed to being on the edge of control, while 2WD will reward those who are smooth and accurate. However, they are more expensive to purchase and more complex to build and maintain.

• Prosand cons of 2WD and 4WD:

4WD pros:

Great for beginners because the driver has more control over straight driving and cornering without deviating from the expected driving route.

As mentioned earlier, all four wheels rotate almost simultaneously with each other for maximum traction and linear stability.

Stronger grip on all terrains and slippery conditions, less stuck on loose terrain

4WD cons:

Complex drive train with more moving parts and gears to drive all the wheels. This also means that more parts wear and replace parts are twice as expensive as 2WD.

Cleaning up parts after driving can be a headache, as dust/soil and mud can stick between the front and rear powertrains and are more likely to engage the spur gears. 50% of the listed 4WD models are equipped with open-air mid-disc spur gears and pinions for easy maintenance, but troublesome because it sends out invitations to get more dust and debris to grind the gears off.

Since all four wheels are connected to the common powertrain source and motor so that more simultaneous movements can be made in all directions, this can also result in significant stress, or I should say that the load stress is dispersed. Especially during turns and hard landings after a big jump. For example; when a 4WD off-road vehicle jumps and land, the front wheel will first hit the ground and will be subjected to excessive impact or sudden jolt, thereby transferring the stress load of the two front wheels to the front differential and then shifting the speed. The spur gear and the motor pinion in the box unit cause excessive wear of the gear teeth, and the rear wheels are not synchronized due to no-load, because the rear wheels are still in the air, causing the gears to slip. ...so the rear wheel can't catch the phenomenon that the front wheel will cause slipping, so it will damage the spur gear or pinion wear (I will say force feedback). The difference between the “slip” loads of the front and rear wheels can be minimized by the “slipper clutch” commonly used on high-end 4WD racing platforms, especially for larger models such as race level 1 / 10, 1 / 8 and 1/5, the scale, but still the "slider clutch" only minimizes or inhibits the stress load not as a solution to this problem. In essence, the wear of the 4WD transmission system parts will still exceed 2WD countershaft parts.

4WD platform is very heavy! If you have a durable 4WD system, even if it is very difficult, other components outside the system can handle its power, especially in the event of a collision. The collision inertia weight of the complete 4WD chassis will be more likely to tear the arm of the suspension "A", destroy the chassis and crush the body shell... Finally, you are more likely to look around for the missing "dog bones". The shaft is connected between the differential cup and the hub drive cup.

Of course, the 4WD is more expensive to buy, and they don't always look as sexy and slim as the 2WD, because the front nose of the 4WD has a large partition with a front differential. As a result, they barely see the appearance that is designed to be as large as the classic dune/desert off-roader...nothing.

Not as fast or powerful as 2WD, because the torque power of 4WD is divided into two parts; half flows to the rear wheel and half flows to the front wheel. Therefore, the motor must work harder to push the four wheels. The ESC Amps rated power is always much higher than 2WD.

2WD pros:

Cheap to buy, the price is moderate. They always look good and simple mechanically, which makes maintenance easier and spare parts cost less.

Because there is not much transmission transmission stress between the front and rear wheels (the transmission involved is not much synchronized), it is ideal for speed, jumping and muddy/muddy flapping. The front wheel can do anything you want to do, and it can also withstand heavy impact. The rear wheel does not care about the front wheel and does not have any effect on the front wheel. Both are very independent of each other's drive load.

2WD creates cool "doughnuts" and skilled "electric rails" on earth tracks for drives that know how to do it!

The 2WD chassis is also lighter, ideal for jumping, airborne, and less likely to cause serious damage to other parts of the off-road vehicle and crash outside the track. The inertial force on the weight is small. This makes the dirt fight very interesting.

The 2WD Sand/Desert SUV always places its main gearbox unit and motor farther at the end of the chassis and is protected by a tube cage, making it easy to maintain quickly without opening and disassembling the entire body, especially in the pit stop for maintenance and commissioning.

100% of the motor torque/power is passed directly to the 2WD. That's why most 2WD models always pull the cool wheels easily.

Not only do they have the torque power of the pulley, but they also start very quickly and build faster speeds because there is no need to synchronize their wheel speeds at the same time. The rear wheel just ran ramps at maximum speed, while the front wheels slid along with it.

The 2WD chassis can carry larger and longer rc car batteries because there is not much space around the chassis, and the middle section of the 4WD is occupied by the drive shaft and the front bulkhead gear differential.

2WD cons

The 2WD slides and swings a lot at the rear end due to too much traction, because the front wheels are free to slide, so it is difficult to keep them straight. It will be a bit twitching for beginners. That's why most 2WD operators are professional drivers and you need to be very skilled at driving 2WD.

Due to the large torque applied between the differential unit and the wheel, the plastic differential cup is always stripped/teared or burned. A quick and inexpensive upgrade to a metal drive cup will permanently solve the problem of those who wish to trigger the throttle stick.